Folding device for treadmills

ABSTRACT

A foldable treadmill includes a base and a rectangular frame has an end pivotably connected to the base. An endless belt is reeved through rollers connected to the frame. A folding device is connected between the base and the frame and includes two guide members connected to base and each guide member has an L-shaped groove. A U-shaped frame is connected to the base and has two legs, each leg has a first pivot and a second pivot, both of which are movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members. A support device is connected between the base and an underside of the frame so as to assist the frame to be folded relative to the base. The pivots are moved within the L-shaped grooves to guide the pivoting action of the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding device for folding the frame relative to the base of treadmills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 9 to 11 show two conventional treadmills and each treadmill has a base 60(70), a frame 62(72) and a folding device 63(73). The folding device 63(73) includes link assembly 64(74) connected between the posts 61(71) and the frame 62(72). When the power is transferred to the link assembly 64(74), the frame 62(72) is pivoted toward the posts 61(71) relative to the base 60(70) so as to be the folded status which occupies less space and is convenience for storage.

Another conventional treadmill having a folding device is shown in FIG. 12 and includes a base 80 and two plates 81 are respectively connected to two extensions of the base 80. One end of each of the plates 81 is pivotably connected to the frame 83 of the treadmill and the other end of each plate 81 is pivotably connected to the base 80. A link 82 is connected between the two plates 81. A cylinder is connected between the link 82 and a transverse bar of the frame 83 so that the frame 83 can be adjusted by operating the cylinder.

However, the conventional folding devices include too many parts which require a lot of time to assemble and have higher manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable treadmill comprising a base and a rectangular frame which has an end pivotably connected to the base. An endless belt is connected to the frame. A folding device is connected between the base and the frame and includes two guide members which are connected to two extensions of the base. Each guide member has an L-shaped groove composed of a first groove and a second groove. A U-shaped frame is connected between the two extensions of the base and has two legs, each leg has a first pivot and a second pivot. The first and second pivots are movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members. A support device is connected between the base and an underside of the frame.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a folding device for a treadmill wherein the folding device includes a simple structure and less number of parts.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the treadmill with the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show with the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows that the lifting device of the folding device is pivoted relative to the base;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view to show the folding device;

FIG. 5 shows that an end of the frame is lifted upward an angle;

FIG. 6 shows that the frame is pivoted relative to the base and supported by the support device;

FIG. 7 shows that the frame is positioned at an upright position;

FIG. 8 shows the two pivots are moved in the L-shaped grooves when pivoting the frame;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a first conventional treadmill;

FIG. 10 shows that the frame of the conventional treadmill in FIG. 9 is lifted;

FIG. 11 shows a second conventional treadmill;

FIG. 12 shows a third conventional treadmill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, 3 and 4, the treadmill of the present invention comprises a base 10 which has two extensions and two posts 12 extend from the base 10. Each post 12 includes a handle and a control unit 13 is connected between the two handles on the posts 12.

A rectangular frame 20 has an end pivotably connected between the two extensions of the base 10 and a transmission unit 22 is connected to the frame 20. The transmission unit 22 includes rollers (not shown), a driving device 24 for driving the rollers and an endless belt 23 which reeves through the rollers. The driving device 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 13. The other end of the frame 20 includes two caster units 25.

A folding device 30 is connected between the base 10 and the frame 20 and including two guide members 31 which are connected to the two extensions of the base 10. Each guide member 31 has an L-shaped groove 32 which is composed of a first groove 321 and a second groove 322. The guide members 31 can be two blocks or the guide members 31 can be directly embedded into the two extensions of the base 10. A U-shaped frame 33 is connected between the two extensions of the base 10 and has two legs. Each leg has a first pivot 34 and a second pivot 35, the first and second pivots 34, 35 can be two rods and movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves 32 of the two guide members 31.

A lifting device 40 includes an H-shaped frame including two side rods 41 and a transverse bar 42. The two side rods 41 are pivotably connected between the U-shaped frame 33 and a front bar 21 of the frame 20. The lifting device 40 further includes a motor 43 which has one end pivotably connected to the frame 20 and the other end of the motor 43 is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame 33. An end of the motor 43 is pivotably connected to two curve plates 211 on the front bar 21 of the frame 20, and the other end of the motor 43 has a threaded rod 431 which is pivotably connected to two lugs 331 on the U-shaped frame 33.

A support device 50 is connected between the base 10 and an underside of the frame 20. The support device 50 includes a pneumatic cylinder pivotably connected to the frame 20 and the pneumatic cylinder includes a threaded rod 51 which is pivotably connected to the underside of the frame 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 5, when adjusting the angle of the frame 20 relative to the ground, the threaded rod 431 of the motor 43 is activated so as to pivot the curve plate 211 and the side rods 41 are lifted to adjust the angle of the frame 20 relative to the ground. When the threaded rod 431 extends to let the motor 43 be located at the highest position, the frame 20 is lifted to an upright position. In the meanwhile, the support device 50 assists the pivotable movement of the frame 20.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, when the frame 20 is located in horizontal position, the first and second pivots 34, 35 are located in the first groove 321. When the frame 20 is pivoted about the guide members 31 to upright position, the two pivots 34, 35 are moved in the first and second grooves 321, 322. When the frame 20 is pivoted to the upright position, the two pivots 34, 35 are located in the second groove 322.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A foldable treadmill comprising: a base having two extensions and two posts extending from the base, a control unit connected between the two posts; a rectangular frame having an end pivotably connected between the two extensions of the base and a transmission unit connected to the frame, the transmission unit having an endless belt; a folding device connected between the base and the frame and including two guide members which are connected to the two extensions of the base, each guide member having an L-shaped groove which is composed of a first groove and a second groove, a U-shaped frame connected between the two extensions of the base and having two legs, each leg having a first pivot and a second pivot, the first and second pivots movably engaged with the two respective L-shaped grooves of the two guide members, and a support device connected between the base and an underside of the frame.
 2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lifting device is connected between the base and the end of the frame, the lifting device includes a motor which has one end pivotably connected to the frame and the other end of the motor is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame.
 3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lifting device includes an H-shaped frame including two side rods and a transverse bar, the two side rods are pivotably connected between the U-shaped frame and a front bar of the frame.
 4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein an end of the motor is pivotably connected to two curve plates on the front bar of the frame, the other end of the motor has a threaded rod which is pivotably connected to the U-shaped frame.
 5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a driving device is connected to the frame and electrically connected to the control unit.
 6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide members each are a block.
 7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support device includes a pneumatic cylinder pivotably connected to the frame and the pneumatic cylinder includes a threaded rod which is pivotably connected to the underside of the frame. 